It’s Called vs It Called: How To Use Them Correctly Every Time

If you’ve ever wondered whether to write “It’s Called vs It Called:,” you’re not alone. The two phrases look almost identical, but they perform completely different grammatical jobs. “It’s called” normally means “it is called,” while “it called” uses called as a past-tense verb.

The easiest way to remember the difference is to look at what comes after it and ask what you actually mean. Once you understand the sentence structure, choosing between It’s Called vs It Called becomes much easier.

It’s Called vs It Called: The Basic Difference

The most important difference is grammatical.

“It’s called” is a contraction of “it is called.” It normally introduces the name of something or explains what something is known as. Cambridge Dictionary confirms that it’s is the short form of it is or it has.

“It called”, on the other hand, is a past-tense construction. Here, called is the main verb, meaning that it performed the action of calling.

What Does “It’s Called” Mean?

It’s called = It is called

Examples:

• It’s called a smartphone.
• It’s called the Blue House.
• It’s called “The Last Journey.”
• It’s called a shortcut.
• It’s called artificial intelligence.

In each sentence, you can replace it’s with it is:

It’s called a smartphone.
It is called a smartphone.

The meaning stays the same.

What Does “It Called” Mean?

It called describes an action that happened in the past.

Examples:

• It called me yesterday.
• It called several times during the night.
• The machine called the emergency number.
• The system called the customer automatically.

Here, called is the past tense of call.

You cannot replace it with it is:

It called me yesterday.
It is called me yesterday. ❌

That doesn’t work because the sentence needs a past-tense action.

The Quickest Test

Try expanding it’s to it is.

If the sentence still makes sense, “it’s called” is probably correct.

Example:

It’s called a laptop.
→ It is called a laptop. ✅

But:

It called me last night.
→ It is called me last night. ❌

Therefore, “it called” is correct in the second example.

When to Use “It’s Called” Correctly

Use “it’s called” when you are identifying, naming, or describing what something is known as.

This is usually a passive construction because the thing being discussed receives the action of calling/naming.

“It’s Called” for Names

This is the most common use.

Examples:

• It’s called London Bridge.
• It’s called the Internet.
• It’s called a dictionary.
• It’s called a renewable resource.

For example, if someone asks:

“What is that device?”

You could answer:

“It’s called a tablet.”

The full version is:

“It is called a tablet.”

“It’s Called” for Terms and Expressions

The phrase is also useful when introducing a word, expression, concept, or technical term.

Examples:

• It’s called a metaphor.
• It’s called a contraction.
• It’s called passive voice.
• It’s called a homophone.

This is particularly common in educational writing and conversations.

“It’s Called” in Everyday Conversation

Native and fluent English speakers frequently use “it’s called” when introducing something unfamiliar.

For example:

“What do you call this type of bread?”

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“It’s called sourdough.”

Or:

“What’s that song?”

“It’s called ‘Summer Nights.’”

The contraction makes the sentence sound natural and conversational.

When to Use “It Called” Correctly

Use “it called” when it is the subject that performed the action of calling in the past.

“It Called Me”

One common example is when an object, system, organization, or other non-human subject makes a phone call.

Examples:

• The automated system called me.
• It called me twice.
• The office called me yesterday.
• The number called me at midnight.

Here, called means made a telephone call.

“It Called” as a Past-Tense Verb

The construction can also describe another type of calling action.

Examples:

• The machine called for assistance.
• The system called for an emergency shutdown.
• It called everyone back to the meeting.

The exact meaning depends on the context, but the grammatical principle stays the same: called is the past-tense verb.

Why “It Called” Is Not the Same as “It’s Called”

Compare these two sentences:

It’s called a robot.

This means:

It is called a robot.

But:

It called me.

This means:

It made a call to me.

The first sentence identifies a name or label. The second describes an action in the past.

It’s Called vs It Called: Side-by-Side Comparison

Phrase	Full Form	Main Function	Example
It’s called	It is called	Identifies a name or label	It’s called a telescope.
It’s called	It is called	Describes what something is known as	It’s called the Red Room.
It called	—	Past action	It called me yesterday.
It called	—	Past-tense verb	It called for help.

A useful rule is:

If you mean “it is called,” use “it’s called.” If you mean that something performed the action of calling in the past, use “it called.”

A Simple Step-by-Step Way to Choose the Right Phrase

When you’re unsure, don’t guess. Use this quick process.

Step 1: Ask What You Mean

Are you talking about the name of something?

If yes, you probably need:

It’s called…

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Example:

It’s called a keyboard.

Step 2: Expand “It’s”

Replace it’s with it is.

It’s called a keyboard.
→ It is called a keyboard. ✅

If the sentence works, you’re good.

Step 3: Look for a Past Action

If you’re saying that something made a call or performed the action of calling, use:

It called…

Example:

It called me yesterday.

Here, called is the past tense of call.

Step 4: Look at What Follows “Called”

This can provide a useful clue.

Name/label:

It’s called a butterfly.

Person being contacted:

It called me.

Request/action:

It called for help.

This isn’t an absolute rule, but it is a helpful shortcut when you’re writing quickly.

Common Mistakes With “It’s Called” and “It Called”

Understanding the difference is easier when you see the mistakes people commonly make.

Mistake 1: Using “It Called” for a Name

❌ It called a smartphone.

If you mean the object is named a smartphone, this is incorrect.

✅ It’s called a smartphone.

The correct meaning is “It is called a smartphone.”

Mistake 2: Using “It’s Called” for a Phone Call

❌ It’s called me yesterday.

If you mean something phoned you yesterday, this is incorrect.

✅ It called me yesterday.

Here, called is already the past-tense verb.

Mistake 3: Thinking Every “It’s” Is Possessive

Another common source of confusion is the apostrophe in it’s. The apostrophe does not make it’s possessive.

In standard modern English:

• it’s = it is / it has
• its = belonging to it

Cambridge Dictionary specifically distinguishes its as the possessive form and it’s as the contraction of it is or it has.

For example:

It’s called a dog.
= It is called a dog.

But:

The dog wagged its tail.

Here, its shows possession.

Real-Life Case Study: Choosing the Right Phrase in Conversation

Imagine you’re visiting a technology store with a friend. You notice a small device you’ve never seen before.

You point at it and ask:

“What is this?”

The salesperson answers:

“It’s called a smart hub.”

That is correct because the salesperson is telling you the name of the device. The full sentence is:

“It is called a smart hub.”

Now imagine that you leave the store and later receive a phone call from the store’s automated system. You tell your friend:

“It called me about the order.”

This is also correct, but the meaning has completely changed. In this sentence, called describes an action that happened in the past.

Now compare all three:

It’s called a smart hub.
The device has this name.

It called me about the order.
The system contacted me.

The device has its own app.
The app belongs to or is associated with the device.

This example demonstrates why punctuation and sentence structure matter. The tiny apostrophe in it’s isn’t decorative; it tells the reader that it’s represents a contraction. Merriam-Webster likewise explains that it’s means it is or it has, while its is the possessive form.

2025–2026 Data: Why Clear English Still Matters Online

There isn’t a reliable 2025–2026 statistic showing how many people specifically confuse “it’s called” with “it called.” It would be misleading to invent one.

However, the broader online-language landscape explains why small grammar distinctions matter. Statista reported that, as of October 2025, English was used on nearly half of websites worldwide, making it by far the dominant language of web content. (Statista)

That means clear English remains particularly important for:

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• Blog posts
• Websites
• Online education
• Business communication
• Social media
• Product descriptions
• Search-focused content

A small grammatical mistake may not always prevent understanding, but consistently using the correct construction makes your writing clearer and more professional.

Quick Checklist: Is It “It’s Called” or “It Called”?

Use this checklist whenever you’re unsure.

• Do you mean “it is called”? → Use it’s called
• Are you identifying the name of something? → Use it’s called
• Are you describing something making a phone call in the past? → Use it called
• Is called the past-tense action performed by it? → Use it called
• Can you expand it’s to it is? → If yes, it’s is appropriate
• Are you showing possession? → You may need its, not it’s

One-Line Memory Trick

It’s called = It is called.
It called = It made a call / performed the calling action.

FAQs

Q1: Is “it’s called” grammatically correct?

A: Yes. “It’s called” is grammatically correct when it’s means “it is.”

Example:

It’s called a dictionary.

This means:

It is called a dictionary.

Cambridge Dictionary confirms that it’s is the short form of it is or it has.

Q2: Is “it called” grammatically correct?

A: Yes. “It called” is correct when called is the past-tense verb.

Example:

It called me yesterday.

Here, called describes an action performed in the past.

Q3: Is “it’s called” passive voice?

A: Yes, in sentences such as “It’s called a laptop,” the construction is passive. The thing being discussed receives the naming action.

The active equivalent could be:

People call it a laptop.

The passive version is:

It’s called a laptop.

Q4: Can I say “it is called” instead of “it’s called”?

A: MAbsolutely. “It is called” and “it’s called” have the same basic meaning when it’s means it is.

The contracted form is generally more conversational:

It’s called a tablet.

The expanded form can sound slightly more formal:

It is called a tablet.

Q5: Why is “it’s called me” wrong?

A: If you mean that something contacted you, use:

It called me.

Here, called is the past-tense verb.

“It’s called me” would incorrectly expand to:

It is called me.

That doesn’t produce the intended grammatical structure.

Q6: What is the difference between “its” and “it’s called”?

A: It’s is a contraction meaning it is or it has. Its is a possessive word meaning something belongs to or is associated with it.

Examples:

It’s called a fox.

The fox raised its head.

Q7: Which is correct: “it’s called” or “it called”?

A: Both can be correct, but they have different meanings.

Use “it’s called” for a name or label:

It’s called a camera.

Use “it called” for a past calling action:

It called me last night.

Conclusion:

The difference between “It’s Called vs It Called” becomes simple once you focus on the meaning.

“It’s called” means “it is called” and is normally used when giving the name, label, or description of something.

“It called” uses called as a past-tense verb and describes something that performed the action of calling.

Remember this simple rule:

It’s called = It is called.
It called = It performed a calling action in the past.

Before publishing or sending your next sentence, try expanding “it’s” to “it is.” If the sentence still works, you’ve probably chosen the right form.

For more clear explanations of confusing English words, contractions, and grammar choices, keep exploring practical Word vs Word guides and make every sentence easier to understand.

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